Animal Tales

Animal Tales

ANIMAL TALES: CAMPO’S FARM ANIMAL REFUGE GOING STRONG AFTER COVID

By SJ Miller

Photo:  Matt Lieurance with rescue Diamond.  Photo courtesy Farm Animal Refuge

March 24, 2022 (Campo) — When Jordan Russo and Matt Lieurance met working at Chili’s 14 years ago, they had no idea they would eventually become close friends, roommates, and co-founders of an animal sanctuary in Campo.


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ANIMAL TALES: THE DOG SOCIETY OFFERS FUN TIMES FOR HUMANS AND CANINES ALIKE

 

Photo: The Dog Society welcomes dogs and humans, by Charie Juaneza.

March 8, 2022 (Rolando) --The Dog Society, a new human-dog hangout spot that is part sports bar, part dog boarder, part restaurant, and part family-friendly fun, enjoyed its grand opening on February 25. 

The unique business located at 6331 University Ave in the Rolando Village area of San Diego, just east of La Mesa, is the brainchild of owner Sara Broetje.

“Basically, I love dogs and I love hanging out with my friends watching football, and I love drinking craft beer so I wanted to smash it all together,” she said.


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ANIMAL TALES: CATCHING UP WITH CHOPPER THE BIKER DOG

Chopper the Biker Dog

By SJ Miller 

Photo: East County celebrity Chopper the Biker Dog,by Mark Shaffer

March 6, 2022 (La Mesa) — It's been just over a year since Fox 5 San Diego announced that canine celebrity Chopper the Biker Dog had been diagnosed with liver cancer. Now, I’m checking in on the beloved Boston Terrier and his dog dad, realtor Mak Shaffer.

 

“He’s terminal,” said Shaffer. “I’m trying to still give him some happiness and comfort.” 


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: THANKFUL AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS IN ALPINE

East County News Service
 
Photos courtesy of Kelly Massey at Lions, Tigers and Bears
 
December 1, 2019 (Alpine) – At the Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary in Alpine earlier this week, exotic big cats and bears enjoyed some special Thanksgiving enrichment.  In addition to savoring raw turkey dinners, the animals also enjoying romping and frolicking in the newfallen snow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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ANIMAL TALES: SIBERIAN CUPCAKES IN EAST COUNTY

 

By Mimi Pollack

October 1, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) -- There are five luscious Siberian cupcakes residing near Santa Ysabel, on the way to Palomar Mountain. What are Siberian cupcakes? These are domesticated Russian foxes-- and this author was lucky enough to meet all five of them at the Judith A Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center.


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CHILDREN’S NATURE RETREAT: HELPING CHILDREN AND ANIMALS TOGETHER

 

Gala on May 19th benefits Alpine nonprofit

 

By Mimi Pollack

April 5, 2017 (Alpine) -- Giving back to others is always good, but when you can give back to both animals and children, that is even better! Local humanitarian Agnes Barrelet is doing just that by heading up two non-profits, Hands United for Children and Children’s Nature Retreat in Alpine. 


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ANIMAL TALES: ALPACA FARMERS ENJOY PEACEFUL LIFE IN DESCANSO

 

You can meet the alpacas at an open house Feb. 11

By Mimi Pollack

Photos by Mimi Pollack and Dan Harrison

February 3, 2017 (Descanso) -- “David is a unicorn,” says Amy Alyeshmerni, referring to David Kabbai, her partner of six years in life, love, and business. ”Here is a man who owns a ranch, loves animals, and wants us to spend every other Friday with his mother for Shabbat dinner. How unusual is that? I am very lucky!”  


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ANIMAL TALES: CAT HAVEN--FRIENDS OF CATS

 

By Mimi Pollack 

July 13, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - In East County, there is place that welcomes all cats, no matter the age or condition. Friends of Cats in El Cajon is a haven for kittens, adult and senior cats, FIV positive cats and even cats with bad habits or psychological problems! They welcome them all with open arms and take good care of them, providing a safe environment. 


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ANIMAL TALES: LIONEL’S LEGACY--RESCUING AND EDUCATING

 

By Mimi Pollack

June 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Last month, as I was walking around checking out all the booths at the San Diego Humane Society Walk event, I saw two sweet and funny little faces that drew me in. They were two senior chihuahuas named Fred and Ethel, like the couple who lived next door to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the “I Love Lucy” show. What perfect names for those silly little faces!

Fred and Ethel are two lucky pooches that were taken in by Lionel’s Legacy, a non-profit organization, out of El Cajon that specializes in rescuing senior dogs.


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ANIMAL TALES: LABS AND MORE OFFERS SECOND CHANCE FOR DOGS

 

By Mimi Pollack

January 12, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The motto for California Labrador Retrievers and More is “Dogs + Families = Love”. Thanks to all their hard work and dedicated volunteers, this local group, also known as Labs and More, has found homes for 3,900 dogs in five years. Just last week, Labs and More volunteers found homes for 60 dogs, an impressive record to start 2016.


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DOGS HAVE GOOD LIFE WITH KIND PHILANTHROPIST DEVOTED TO HELPING ANIMALS

 

 

By Mimi Pollack

January 9, 2016 (La Mesa) — Recently, I interviewed five ebullient German Shorthaired Pointers. Their owner, George Juchum, was there, too, clearly relishing giving his dogs the run of his large home and garden  near Mt. Helix in La Mesa.


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ANIMAL TALES: DYNAMIC DUO DOGS' BEST FRIEND

 

Stephanie Nisan, the professor, and Rebecca Weinrib

By Mimi Pollack

August 27, 2015 (Blossom Valley)--Making a difference in the world seems to be the motto that Blossom Valley resident Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan live by, especially in the world of homeless dogs. Together, they founded The Animal Pad in 2010, a rescue organization for dogs, with their own unique vision.


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ANIMAL TALES: ROY TOFT, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER AND TOUR GUIDE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to hear our exclusive radio interview with Roy Toft during our show on KNSJ 89.1 FM:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... .  Scroll down to view his fabulous photos and read more.

By Mimi Pollack

May 28, 2015 (Ramona)--Many of us lead mundane lives, but not Roy Toft. This amiable Ramona wildlife photographer has had enough adventures for many lifetimes. His pictures have appeared in National Geographic, Audubon Magazines and Zoonooz, gaining him international acclaim.

Audio: 


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ANIMAL TALES: MARCEL, THE TRAVELING POOCH

 

By Mimi Pollack

May 18, 2015 (La Mesa)--Whenever, he sees his Sherpa carrier, Marcel gets all excited. This doggie loves to travel which is good since his owner, Maggie Espinosa, happens to be a travel writer! They have gone to various parts of the United States, Mexico and France. They live in La Mesa, CA where Espinosa’s husband works as a veterinarian in his own clinic.


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BILL TOONE'S ECOLIFE: WORKING TO SAVE NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE

 

By Mimi Pollack

January 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)-- There are so many different subjects one could mention when writing about Bill Toone, such as California condors, monarch butterflies in Mexico, mountain gorillas in Uganda, Aquaponics, Patsari and Massai stoves, holistic conservation, guided trips to Mexico and Africa, yet in the end, they all tie in together.


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ANIMAL TALES: A GUIDE TO PET THERAPY AND DOG TRAINING

 

By Mimi Pollack

December 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --Animals have a way of reaching others and comforting in a way that people sometimes can't. When a well-trained and loving dog is brought to a retirement home, a nursing and rehabilitation facility, or a hospice, etc., it brightens the day of so many people, bringing positive companionship. That is why pet therapy dogs provide such an invaluable service, and there are many owners who would like their pets to participate. However, if someone is interested, it is very important to do some research first.


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ANIMAL TALES: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SIAMESE RESCUE ORGANIZATION IS THE CAT'S MEOW

 

By Mimi  Pollack

Photo: Riley

November 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Looking at her blue eyes and gorgeous coat, nobody would ever suspect that Riley was once a very sick seal point Siamese that was going to be euthanized.


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SAVING THE CHEETAHS

 

 

Only 10,000 cheetahs remain in the wild, and Dr. Laurie Marker aims to save the species

By Mimi Pollack

September 24, 2014 (Ramona) – Kumbali looked at us with soulful amber eyes. Those present were struck by the magnificence of this cheetah--the star attraction at a benefit event for the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The event took place last weekend  in the Ramona home of well-known wildlife photographer Roy Toft and his wife, Robin.


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GIL AND NANCY RIEGLER: ANIMAL WHISPERERS IN RAMONA

 

By Mimi Pollack

August 28, 2014 (Ramona) -- Being an animal whisperer is not magic. It is a combination of common sense and tapping into an energy or even spiritual connection that a lucky few have with animals. Gil and Nancy Riegler, owners of the Oasis Dairy Camel Farm in Ramona, have had a special bond with animals since they were young, and it has grown over their many years of working and learning about them.


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TASHI - THE TIBETAN CENTER DOG

 

By Mimi Pollack

July 2, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - There is an old expression about a boy and his dog, but in this case it is a Tibetan spiritual teacher and his dog, Tashi, a nine year old Pomeranian, and the resident dog at the Drikung Kyobpa Choling [DKC] Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center in Escondido, CA. DKC was founded in 1996 by Drupon Samten, the spiritual director, and his long time assistant, nun, and fellow animal lover, Ani Chodron. Tashi was a gift to them.


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